Essex Terminal 9
9 is an 0-6-0 built in 1923 by the Montreal Locomotive Works for the Essex Terminal Railway. The engine was retired in 1960 and then spent a few years as a stationary boiler before being bought by a preservation group. The engine eventually made it's way back home to St. Thomas and was restored to steam in 1997 by the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society. The engine is stored in St. Thomas at the Elgin County Railway Museum.
Essex Terminal 9 was running a big excursion in 2003. The engine started at it's home in St. Thomas and ran all the way to Guelph and back while pulling special excursions along the way. I caught up with the engine as it was running from Stratford to Guelph, Ontario on October 4. The day started out nice but quickly turned to rain and one of the nastiest hail storms I have ever had the displeasure of seeing and feeling! There were nice periods during the day and the trip was great to follow. Since the train was going long distances from home, the train had to include enough coal for the entire trip. This was great for photographs because the first five cars of the train looked like a typical short line freight train!
Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society